Winemaker: Michel Chapoutier
100% Syrah from the hill of Hermitage
With twenty vintages under his belt, Michel Chapoutier and his impressive winemaking staff go from strength to strength. These are among the world’s greatest wines, especially the single vineyard wines, many of which will last 50 or more years.
‘A deep black/garnet hue. An unmistakable Ermitage (or Hermitage) nose, a little brettanomyces but complementing rather than detracting from the aromatics. Touch of black truffle and white pepper. The palate is medium instead of full-bodied with superb balance, freshness and grace. More feminine that I expected: sophisticated and elegant. Blackberry, a touch of vanilla pod and cassis. A voluptuous finish, a wine to savour.’ Neal Martin
The 2005 Ermitage Les Greffieux is a beauty, but it has to take a backseat to the 2006. It has an admirable creme de cassis note, an inky purple color, plenty of meat, smoke, steel, and black fruits in a dense, fleshy style. It is by far the most forward of the 2005 Ermitages. That’s not to say there’s any deficiency in tannin lurking underneath the wine’s density and richness. It should evolve for 20-25 years. 94/100 Parker.